The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-04-16
JEROME'S ADVENTURE.

Once upon time there was man
who kept menagerie, and in it were
several great animals and some smaller
ones.
This man who owned the menagerie,
or travelling geological garden, was
kind; so was his wife. They had one
little child, boy; and ut the time of
my story this child was two years old,
OF thereabOuts-a fine, chubby little
boy. who was pleased with the animals
and birds. and would laugh and chat
with them in his own little way until
even the mischievous monkeys were
glad to see him.
The menagerie travelled through the
country. 1t was in France. People
! came to see the performing elephant
and the other creatures, and watched lit
tie Jerome ride Hercules-that was the
elephants name-and play few tricks.
have told you that the man who
owned the menagcrie was good and
kind. So he was, but he had enemies,
and one enemy in particular-a lazy,
idle man, who had once owned this
very menagerie, who was too idle and
cruel to keep it. So he sold the animals,
and spent the money in idleness. But
when he saw how well the other man
was getting on, how much money he
was making, how the animals liked him,
; and when he remembered that he him
self could never do this, he got very
angry. He was greedy and jealous; he
did not want to work, yet he wanted
money, and was angry with Jerome's
father for making success of what he
(MaltaiD only failed in. This Maltait
said he would be ''revenged."
What do you think he did? 1t was a
bad, wicked action, and only cruel
man would have thought of such a
thing. He printed bills, and let all the
people know that on a certain day, in
certain town. Mr.. Bonnet's little son
would 60 into the panther's den, and
sit there. Do you know why he said
this? Because" said he to himself,
"a great number Of people will come to
see the show, and am sure Bonnet will
not let his boy go into the cage. Then
the people will be angry, and pull down
the show, perhaps, or do some damage"
When the menagerie reached the
town, Mr.. Bonnet, Jerome's father,
was very much surprised to see the bills
saying that his dear little jerome would
go into the cage with the lioness and
the panther, which lived together, and
sit with the savage beasts. His wife
was in a terrible way She cried, and
begged her husband to find out who
had done such n wicked thing. The
people We're rough, and liked rough
scenes. They wanted to see the little
boy in the cage, and even if the panther
tore him they would not have cared!
The menager.e was fixed up; all the
caravans with the cages were arranged
as usual, and early in the afternoon
great crowd of rough men came, and
women and children, to see little Je-
rome in the cage. Mrs. Bonnet wanted
to tell the people it was mistake, but
her husband said: "They will tear us
to pieces, perhaps, OF burn the menage-
rie in their disappointment. 1 must
see what can do"
The people came in and crushed
about. Mr.. Bonnet had fed
the animals, and they were
quiet Hercules" the elephant,
walked about, Jerome played his
pranks. and then the people began to
call out for the "cage trick" as they
said. Mr.. Bonnet made them speech.
He said he had not printed the bills,
and it was done without his knowledge.
1t had been done by some enemy, who
would be punished, no doubt, some
day. "But. if the people insistcd--"
"Yes! yes!'' they insisted. He must
put the child in the cage!
Then Mr. Bonnet got very
faint He did not dare. refuse,
and yet his heart was sad. His
dear little son might be torn in pieces,
but he must do as the people said or
the whole menagerie might be destroy
ed. So he said: Every well, ladies
and gentlemen; for to-day only will
permit this. and then will find out
the man who has tried to ruin me, and
will have him punished"
The people cried "HTrah' and his
father took jerome, and bad him say
his prayers. Then he asked: "Are
you afraid of the beasts?"
"No, father; nota bit!' said the brave
boy.
So his father took him off the ele-
phant, and opened the cage The ami
mails never stirred! Shall l tell you
why9 They had had good dinner,
with something to make them sleep,
and Hercules, the elephant, was look
ing ut them 50 hard, that they were
afraid. Little Jerome had been kind,
and the two animals never moved nor
growled rs he sat down; but he did not |
touch them.
There he sat; the people cheered, and |
cried; ''Hurrah!" They threw money
into the cage The elephant picked |
some of 1t up, and gave it to Jerome,
who camo out safely! In the evening
he went In again; the lionness and tho |
panther never moved paw against
him, and 50 on for four times he went |
In, and made great deal Of money.
The wicked Maltait was very angry, |
and said, 'The animals are stuffed, not |
alive" So the people made him 60. |